Mauro Berruto, coach of the Italian men's national volleyball team, has also coached the Finnish national team

Rome, Italy, November 29, 2012 - Looking forward to Rio 2016, Mauro Berruto, coach of Italy’s men’s national volleyball team, held a two day intensive training session at the Centro Sportivo dell'Acqua Acetosa in Rome, where he worked with 27 players including Pedron, Pinelli, Sperandio, Mazzone, Marchisio, Valsecchi, Fedrizzi, Caci and Pesaresi.

"I think it's fair to thank the Federation and the various clubs that allowed the project" said Berruto.

"I am very happy that the programme has started as I believe in a lot. I will have the ability to monitor and record the growth of several players. The athletes here are committed to engaging to this four-year project and the hope is to have the largest possible number of young players on the eve of the next Games."

As Berruto explained, "This is just the first of three stages, the other two will be between January and March during which I will have the opportunity to work and learn more."

The coach was satisfied with the work saying, "These two days helped to clear my head though, logically, 48 hours are not enough for a definitive assessment. In this sense, it is important that the players show me and convey their desire to learn and improve. They will have to earn their place in the upcoming events."